Calling all primary schools to make the move to chess

On Friday, October 4  the Féile Ficheall tournament was launched in Scoil Isoagáin, Buncrana for all primary schools in Donegal. 

Ficheall is the national network of primary teachers promoting chess in their schools for the social and cognitive benefits it has for primary school students. 

Ficheall teachers use chess as a tool to teach through and an opportunity for their students to develop new skills and values, as well as representing their school at Ficheall tournaments called Féile Fichille (chess festival). 

Fifth class students in Scoil  Isoagáin playing chess

The County Donegal Education Support Centre has hosted the chess for social skills summer course previously with great success. Upon completion of this course teachers can play chess.

Most attending the course had never played chess before but after completion can teach the basics of chess to students in their class while also teaching key SPHE curriculum objectives from first to sixth class.

Féile Fichille tournaments are non-competitive chess tournaments organised annually in term two. 

There are no medals, prizes or trophies presented. Instead, the day is a celebration of the students learning chess and social skills as well as their teachers’ leadership skills to introduce the initiative in their school. 

Donegal primary schools can now register to participate in the Féile Fichelle tournament by registering through the Donegal Education Support Centre.